Star Awards 2025 red carpet: Glitz, glam... and a giant peach?
Carmen Sin
The Straits Times
July 7, 2025
It was tasteful, if a touch restrained, on the Star Awards 2025 red carpet.
The 30th edition of local entertainment's biggest night had promised spectacle, but the artistes in attendance on July 6 overwhelmingly opted for trusty suits - mostly in penguin colours, though some dared a navy - safely pretty black dresses, lucky red ones and standard sequinned gowns.
It felt like sober good sense taking over in the third decade of the awards show, teased by backstage pictures of the stars sipping bird's nest tonics from little flasks supplied by celebrity hairstylist David Gan.
The upshot was competent, even relaxed looks, with few misfires.
Fight through the polite applause and one might find interest in the details: host Quan Yi Fong's windswept trompe l'oeil tie, newbie Tiffany Ho's clover-shaped "bib", or actor Desmond Tan passing off a blingy Boucheron tassel for a tie.
And with the likes of actors Li Nanxing, Sharon Au and Jeanette Aw making their Walk Of Fame comebacks, there was enough going on to keep oglers occupied. A new crop of actors from the hit series Emerald Hill (2025), as yet too fresh to keep it chill, also turned up the heat.
Here are the most memorable hits and misses from the annual extravaganza.
Tasha Low
Like a true clothes horse, Low made no concession to the weather in this feathered Chanel jacket and skirt set. The charmeuse top, with its jewelled buttons, gave a sense of occasion. The spring green was bright, without being timid. The matching jacquard skirt with a Chanel camellia motif was faultless. Her Chinese period drama-esque hairdo might have tipped the look into costume, if not for the flash of those black velvet platform boots. All in all, a rock star look from the Emerald Hill star.
Chantalle Ng
Here was another Emerald Hill lead - and Low's bestie - looking to make an impression. Ng's divisive, barely there chainmail dress of 2023, and sports bra-flashing, white fishing net overlay in 2024, showed her admirable scorn for quiet dressing. This time, she finally nailed it in her most conservative look yet. Her strapless ivory gown was a busy one, with ruffles round the bust, waist and fringing a fluffy-looking train. Look closer, and some boning is visible in the bodice, as well as a charming waffle pattern in the skirt. Ng gets props for holding it all together, without looking too bridal.
Zoe Tay
Ah Jie made a queenly entrance in Chanel. With hair slicked back, in a floor-grazing black coat - made of tweed, naturally - and a controlled explosion of flowers embroidered on the collar, she looked every bit the matriarch of Mediacorp. It was welcome relief from the ruddy dresses Tay reached for in 2023 and 2024. But do not mistake her for severe now - she still swished her coat playfully for the cameras and capped off the look with a fun pair of velvet and mirror platform sandals.
Jeanette Aw
After a six-year break from the silver screen, Aw is making a leading lady TV comeback in 2026. For her red carpet return, she went for a prim Shushu/Tong number, with a flat bow detail on the neckline that added a dash of girlish sweetness. The woollen weight and full-hipped silhouette kept it classy. Her towering stiletto heels and crocodile-shaped open necklace added a welcome pinch of danger.
Fann Wong
Wong famously turned up at the 2003 Star Awards in sneakers, a cropped top and ultra-loud floral red capris. Those who hoped she might reprise that spirit will be disappointed to learn she has retired from wacky, if her all-white look was anything to go by. But it was gauche to quibble. Her Ralph Lauren evening dress fell perfectly to her feet and, with only the most sparing of accessories - a thick silver bracelet, earrings and a thin necklace - she proved less is more.
Chen Liping
Chen arrived looking like a Roald Dahl character - specifically, the giant peach in James And The Giant Peach. Her linebacker shoulders in a pleated orange top, with an exposed zipper no less, was the most flammable look of the night. Still, it was difficult to say what clothes could carry the energy of the beloved on-screen teacher known as Aiyoyo, who somehow managed to overpower her screeching garb, looking easy-breezy above the noise.
Li Nanxing
Ah Ge Li Nanxing was the one to watch on awards night as he made his long-awaited return to the ceremony. He could have come in the national service admin tee and it would not have made a difference, but he played nice and went for a baggy suit. His yellow-tinted sunglasses and metallic corsage - a brooch shaped like a spray of flowers - accented the mob boss look.
Ya Hui
She dared a denim fishtail dress. Alas, the intrepid actress was foiled by the casual-looking wash of the jeans, the randomness of her elbow-length black gloves and the truly bizarre lone silver Tiffany bangle on one wrist. It might have been worth it if she could move in it, but the well-loved star was seen grappling with her skirt, stalled before the stairs up to the venue by the stiff material and awkward length.
Xiang Yun
The veteran actress is not one to shy from colour. In 2023, she went full highlighter in a fluorescent yellow number. This year, she opted for fuchsia. But if her neon look two years ago worked because of its considered structure, her rosy collared dress this year was undone by its Office Lady sensibility. Think three-quarter sleeves, flared skirt and a sorrowfully misshapen bow tacked onto the waist. A haphazard ponytail that could only have been hastily done inspired the present suspicion - perhaps, she had not meant to attend.
Pierre Png
The Crazy Rich Asians (2018) heart-throb and best supporting actor nominee rolled up in a slouchy, paisley printed suit - and bedhead. Maybe it was adventurous hairstyling, but the cowlick visible from behind suggested ambivalence. Then again, with nearly 30 years in the dog and pony show of show business, Png might be forgiven for taking a nap.
Elvin Ng
Mr Bandung - so named for his infamous pink ombre get-up circa 2021 - ditched the strictures of a suit altogether this time, favouring a belted cool-grey jumpsuit, unzipped to mid-chest. His popped collar, silver ear studs, Tiffany sea star brooch and a wispy forelock added some glamour. But otherwise, his elevated loungewear looked the most comfortable of the night.
View more photos in the gallery.
